Romance scam reports have risen 20% year-over-year during the first quarter of 2025, according to new data from UK banking giant Barclays.
The report found that romance scams are continuing to rise in line with the growing popularity of online dating and dating apps. The majority of romance scam reports in Q1 2025 originated from these platforms.
Barclays added that 12% of UK adults have been targeted, or know someone who has been targeted, by a romance scam.
